To choose the right plumber in Perth, run eight checks before any work starts. Confirm their WA plumbing licence on the Online Licence Search, check for a separate gas licence if gas is involved, ask for proof of public liability insurance, read recent reviews, match their skills to your job, get at least three itemised written quotes, get the warranty in writing, and make sure you’ll receive a certificate of compliance for major work. A plumber who passes all eight is licensed, insured and accountable for the job.
At Solus Plumbing, our Perth plumbers hold a 4.9-star average across Google reviews, and we’re often called in to finish or fix a job someone else started. In most of those cases, the first plumber wasn’t properly licensed, or the scope and price were never put in writing. This guide covers the checks we’d run if we were hiring a plumber for our own homes, based on Western Australian rules on licensing, quotes, deposits and compliance certificates.
Perth plumber checklist at a glance
| Check | What to do | Why it matters |
| 1. WA plumbing licence | Search the plumber’s name or number on the WA Online Licence Search | Only licensed plumbers can legally do water, sanitary and drainage work in WA |
| 2. Gas licence | Ask for a gasfitting licence for any gas job | Gas work needs a separate licence from plumbing |
| 3. Insurance | Ask for a Certificate of Currency for public liability | Covers damage or injury caused during the job |
| 4. Reviews and references | Read recent reviews and ask for recent jobs you can check | Shows reliability, communication and follow-up |
| 5. Right skills | Ask how often they do your type of job | Drain cameras, leak detection and hot water installs need specialist gear |
| 6. Three written quotes | Get itemised quotes for the same scope | Lets you compare fairly and avoid surprise extras |
| 7. Warranty | Get workmanship and parts cover in writing | Tells you who pays if the repair fails |
| 8. Certificate of compliance | Confirm you’ll receive one for major work | It’s your six-year guarantee the work meets WA standards |
Why do you need a licensed plumber in Perth?
In Western Australia, only a licensed plumber can legally carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work. The WA Government’s licence search page states that “only a plumber who holds a licence issued by the Plumbers Licensing Board can legally carry out water supply, sanitary and drainage plumbing work.”
Plumbing is tightly regulated because a poorly installed toilet or drain can contaminate drinking water or spread water-borne disease. Licensed plumbers are trained to the national plumbing standard, AS/NZS 3500, and WA’s own plumbing regulations.
What plumbing can you do yourself in WA?
Very little. The WA Government’s plumbing work in your home guide limits homeowners to these tasks:
- Maintaining, repairing or replacing a shower head
- Maintaining or repairing a tap (other than a thermostatic mixing tap)
- Replacing a cistern washer
- Replacing a water filter cartridge
- Clearing a blocked fixture or waste pipe with a plunger
Anything else, including replacing a toilet, needs a licensed plumber.
How do you check a plumber’s licence in WA?
Ask the plumber for their licence number, then search it for free on the WA Online Licence Search. The search shows whether the licence is current, who holds it and the type of licence. Building and Energy, part of the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS), manages the register.
On the day, ask to see the plumber’s licence card too. The WA Government notes that “the licence or permit card indicates the type of plumbing work the person is allowed to carry out.” Check that the name matches the business on your quote.
What are the different plumbing licences in WA?
WA has four main types of plumbing licence and permit. The business you contract with should hold a contractor licence, and the person on site needs at least a tradesperson licence.
| Licence type | Who holds it | What it means for you |
| Plumbing contractor licence | The business or sole trader running the job | Can supervise plumbing work and issue certificates of compliance |
| Tradesperson (plumbing) licence | The individual plumber | Can do plumbing work under a contractor’s supervision |
| Provisional tradesperson licence | An overseas-trained plumber completing local training | Must work under supervision while localising their skills |
| Restricted plumbing permit | A tradesperson limited to water heater work | Can only remove, reinstall or replace a water heater |
This breakdown comes from the WA Government’s plumbers scope of work guide. For most jobs, you want a plumbing contractor, because only a contractor can issue the certificate of compliance for major work.
Does the plumber need a gas licence?
Yes, if your job involves gas. In WA, gasfitting is licensed separately from plumbing. The WA Government states that “the law requires that all gasfitting work is carried out by a person who holds a licence.” A plumber licensed only for water and drainage can’t legally connect a gas hot water system, cooktop or heater.
If your job involves gas fitting, check the gas licence on the same Online Licence Search before you book. After the job, your gas fitter must lodge a notice of completion, and you’ll usually get a copy by email.
What insurance should a Perth plumber have?
A good Perth plumber carries current public liability insurance. This covers accidental damage to your property, or injury to someone, caused by the work. Without it, you could end up paying to repair a flooded floor or a damaged ceiling yourself.
Ask for the Certificate of Currency before work starts, and check three things:
- The name on the certificate matches the business on your quote
- The policy dates are current
- The cover amount suits the size of the job
Licensing also gives you better options if things go wrong. Consumer Protection WA points out that you have stronger legal options to resolve a dispute with a licensed tradesperson than with an unlicensed one.
Licensed plumber vs unlicensed worker
| Criteria | Licensed plumber | Unlicensed worker |
| Legal status | Allowed to do regulated plumbing work in WA | Not permitted to do most plumbing work |
| Training | Qualified to AS/NZS 3500 and WA plumbing standards | No formal training or oversight |
| Insurance | Usually carries public liability cover | No guaranteed cover |
| Products | Must use WaterMark-certified products | No assurance of approved parts |
| Paperwork | Issues a certificate of compliance for major work | No certificate, so no six-year guarantee |
| If something goes wrong | Plumbing complaint to Building and Energy, plus consumer guarantees | Little practical recourse |
How do you check a Perth plumber’s reviews and reputation?
Read recent Google reviews and focus on the detail in the written comments. A plumber with steady reviews over several years, from customers describing specific jobs, is usually a safer choice than one with a handful of perfect scores. Recommendations from neighbours, friends and local community groups also help.
The ACCC’s guide to spotting fake reviews lists warning signs:
- A spike in very positive or very negative reviews over a short period
- Reviewers with similar names
- Reviews written in similar language
- Generic reviews with no detail about the job
Ask the plumber for references or photos of recent, similar work. Membership of an industry body, such as the Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association of WA, is also a good sign, as members agree to follow a code of conduct.
When we read reviews for trades ourselves, we look for mentions of arriving on time, explaining the problem clearly, a final bill that matched the quote, and how callbacks were handled. A calm reply to a negative review often tells you more than a perfect score.
What questions should you ask a plumber before hiring?
Ask these six questions before you book. A professional plumber will answer each one confidently and back it up in writing.
- Are you licensed and insured? What’s your licence number?
- How many years have you been doing this type of work?
- Can you provide references from recent customers?
- What’s the total cost, including call-out fees, parts and GST?
- How long will the job take?
- What warranty do you offer on labour and parts?
Does the plumber have the right skills for your job?
Blocked sewers, hidden leaks and hot water systems each need different equipment and, sometimes, a different licence. Ask each plumber how often they do your type of job and what gear they’ll bring.
| Your problem | What to ask the plumber | What a good answer sounds like |
| Recurring blocked drain | Do you do CCTV drain camera inspections? | Yes, and we’ll show you the footage before quoting a repair |
| Hidden or slab leak | What leak detection equipment do you use? | Acoustic listening, thermal imaging or tracer gas |
| Cracked or root-damaged sewer | Do you offer pipe relining? | Yes, after a camera survey confirms the damage |
| Gas hot water or cooktop | Do you hold a WA gasfitting licence? | Yes, and here’s the number to check |
| Burst pipe or sewage overflow | Do you offer 24/7 emergency service? | Yes, with after-hours rates quoted upfront |
Choosing a plumber for blocked drains and pipe damage
For blocked drains that keep coming back, choose a plumber who uses a CCTV drain camera. In older Perth suburbs, tree roots often push into the joints of clay sewer pipes. A camera shows root intrusion, cracked joints or a collapsed section before anyone starts digging.
If the camera finds damage, pipe relining can often repair the pipe from the inside without trenching your garden or driveway. Without a camera, you can end up paying to clear the same blockage several times.
Choosing a plumber for hot water, leaks and emergencies
For hot water systems, confirm the plumber can handle the full install, including any gas or electrical connection. The most common surprise we see in Perth is compliance work the old system never had, such as a tempering valve or a new relief drain line. Ask for these items to be listed on the quote.
For burst and leaking pipes behind walls or under slabs, ask about leak detection equipment. Plumbers who use it can usually find the leak without opening large sections of wall. For emergencies, check the plumber will actually attend after hours, and get the after-hours call-out fee before you book.
How much do plumbers charge in Perth?
Most Perth plumbers charge about $90 to $100 an hour during business hours, plus a call-out fee of $60 to $250. After-hours call-out fees usually run $150 to $350, with labour at $180 to $320 an hour on late nights and public holidays.
| Job or fee | Typical Perth price (2026) |
| Standard hourly labour | $90 to $100 per hour |
| Call-out fee, business hours | $60 to $250 |
| After-hours call-out fee | $150 to $350 |
| Leaking tap or loose toilet repair (labour) | $80 to $150 |
| Install a toilet, basin or sink (labour only) | $250 to $600 |
| Hot water system replacement | $1,200 to $2,500 |
Use these ranges to sense-check your quotes. A price far above them should come with a clear reason, like tight access or specialist equipment. Perth rates sit at the lower end of the national range. Most plumbers in New South Wales charge $100 to $200 per hour, as our guide to plumber costs in NSW shows.
You can save on call-out fees by bundling small jobs into one visit. A dripping tap, a running cistern and a loose mixer can usually be fixed together. Our page on taps, toilets and fixtures covers the common repairs.
How many quotes should you get, and what should they include?
Consumer Protection WA advises that you “should get at least 3 quotes in writing before agreeing to the work.” For a small repair, one clear fixed price from a licensed plumber is usually enough. For anything larger, compare three.
According to Consumer Protection WA’s guide to estimates, quotes and deposits, a quote is a total amount that forms a binding contract when accepted. An estimate is an approximate cost and can change.
A good quote is itemised and lists:
- The plumber’s WA licence number and ABN
- The call-out or diagnostic fee, and whether it’s credited if you go ahead
- Labour, as a fixed price or hourly rate
- Parts and materials, listed separately
- The expected completion time
- After-hours or weekend rates
- GST, payment terms and warranty terms
Consumer Protection WA also notes that “tradespeople must get your permission to do extra work. They cannot do extra work first and ask for payment later.”
Fixed price or hourly rate?
| Pricing model | Best for | Watch out for |
| Fixed price | Defined jobs like a hot water swap, drain clear or tap replacement | Check exactly what’s included so extras aren’t added later |
| Hourly rate | Diagnostic or open-ended work like leak tracing | Ask for an estimate or cap, and whether travel time is billed |
At Solus Plumbing, we charge a $99 diagnostic fee on the first visit and credit it back if you go ahead. We then agree a fixed price in writing before any work starts. We’ve found this avoids the most common dispute, where a job runs longer than expected and the bill grows.
How much deposit should you pay a plumber in WA?
For general trade work, Consumer Protection WA recommends paying a small deposit of no more than 10 per cent. For larger home building contracts valued between $7,500 and $500,000, builders can’t ask for more than 6.5 per cent.
For most plumbing repairs, you shouldn’t need to pay anything upfront. Never pay the full amount before the work is done, and pay by a traceable method rather than cash.
What is a certificate of compliance in WA?
A certificate of compliance confirms your plumbing work meets WA plumbing standards. For major plumbing work, your licensed plumbing contractor must give you one within five working days of finishing the job. The WA Government describes it as “your six-year guarantee that the plumbing work has been completed in accordance with the plumbing standards.”
Keep the certificate with your home records. If a problem appears within six years, you can lodge a plumbing complaint with Building and Energy. The certificate also helps when you sell your home or make an insurance claim.
Licensed plumbers must also use certified parts. Look for products listed under the WaterMark Certification Scheme, which confirms plumbing products are fit for purpose and meet Australian standards.
What are the red flags when hiring a plumber in Perth?
Walk away, or at least slow down, if you notice any of these:
- No WA licence number, or one that doesn’t match the name on the quote
- No gasfitting licence for gas jobs
- No Certificate of Currency for insurance
- No ABN or business address
- Reluctance to give a written, itemised quote
- A quote far below every other quote, with no clear explanation
- A deposit above 10 per cent, or a request for full payment upfront
- Pressure to decide on the spot
- No certificate of compliance for major work
- Unsolicited door-to-door offers of cheap work
Consumer Protection WA warns about travelling conmen who knock on doors and say they have leftover materials from a nearby job. “They offer a cheap rate and often pressure you to say yes.”
In our experience, the cheapest quote on paper often becomes the most expensive job. The gap usually shows up later as the wrong parts, missing paperwork or a repeat call-out.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for a blocked sewer pipe in Perth?
The property owner pays to clear blockages in the private sewer pipe on their land. Water Corporation says homeowners cover the property connection up to the junction with its sewer main. Faults in the main itself are Water Corporation’s responsibility.
How do I check if an emergency plumber in Perth is legitimate?
Ask for their WA licence number over the phone and check it on the Online Licence Search before they arrive. A legitimate emergency plumber will also tell you the after-hours call-out fee and hourly rate before attending.
Do Perth plumbers charge to give a quote?
Many Perth plumbers give free quotes for planned work. For repairs, a call-out fee of $60 to $250 usually covers travel and the initial assessment. Some plumbers credit this fee against the repair if you go ahead.
Can a plumber with a restricted permit replace my hot water system in WA?
Yes, but only a like-for-like water heater removal, reinstallation or replacement. Any other plumbing work, or gas connections, needs a fully licensed plumber or gas fitter.
What can I do if I’m unhappy with a plumber’s work in Perth?
Raise the problem with the plumber first and give them a reasonable time to fix it. If that doesn’t work and the work is less than six years old, you can lodge a plumbing complaint with Building and Energy.
Find a licensed plumber in Perth
The right plumber in Perth holds a current WA licence, carries public liability insurance, has genuine reviews and the right equipment, and puts the price, warranty and certificate of compliance in writing. Run those eight checks on every plumber you shortlist, and you’ll avoid most of the problems we’re called in to fix.
If you’d like a plumber who meets every check on this list, our Perth plumbers cover Scarborough, Osborne Park, South Perth, Thornlie, Wanneroo, Rockingham and surrounding suburbs, with 24/7 service for burst pipes and major leaks. Every job is quoted in writing before we start, repairs carry a 12-month workmanship warranty, and new installations carry up to a 5-year warranty. Call Solus Plumbing on 1300 730 896 or request a quote.
